Now that Summer vacation is in our rearview, the air is turning crisp, the leaves are changing color, and the smell of pumpkins and bratwurst reminds us of all the festivities coming up this Fall. One of our favorite traditions of the season is Oktoberfest!
Dating back to 1810, Oktoberfest began in Munich, Germany as a celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Today, it has become the world’s largest annual beer festival, running for two to three weeks, and being celebrated across hundreds of cities.
With all this in mind, the editors of GayTravel.com put together a list of Dos and Don’ts for your 2016 Oktoberfest experience.
DO select the right outfit. Ditch the jeans and plunging V-neck. Think traditional German attire: dirndls and lederhosen! You may feel silly as you walk out the door, but once you arrive at Oktoberfest you’ll fit right in.
DON’T wait until October. Most Oktoberfests begin in the middle of September.
DO try a pint of German beer. Put down that Bud Light Platinum and pick up a beer whose name you can’t pronounce.
DON’T limit yourself to your town’s Oktoberfest. Get out and explore! Celebrate with your neighboring city, clink glasses with the locals, and treat yourself to a hotel.
DO sing and dance. A quick YouTube session might help those who are teachable; for everyone else: just make your way to the dance floor and follow the person next to you!
DON’T drink and drive. Leave with a designated driver, make use of public transit, call a taxi, or download an app. There are plenty of safer options.
DO eat to your heart’s content. Think of Oktoberfest as a cheat day. Try the sauerkraut, the schnitzels, and the strudels--situps and the elliptical will wait another day!
If you’re planning to attend Oktoberfest this year, we would love to hear about it! Post your stories and photos to our wall at www.Facebook.com/GayTravel.
